Tell Me Why cover art

Tell Me Why

2020DON'T NODPC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One

Tell Me Why is the latest narrative adventure game from DONTNOD Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved franchise, Life is Strange. In this intimate mystery, twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan use their supernatural bond to unravel the mysteries of their loving but troubled childhood in beautiful small-town Alaska.

What it feels like

The game invites unhurried reflection and interpretation of the twins' troubled past and relationships. The narrative treats emotional beats with sincere, unironic heartfelt-ness in exploring family trauma. A pervasive wistful sadness permeates the investigation into loss and decline within their family history.

Contemplative80%
Earnest75%
Melancholic75%

What it's about

Unraveling the central hidden truth about the twins' troubled childhood structures the entire experience. Family bonds and obligation between the twin siblings anchor the narrative and drive emotional weight. The unreliability and reconstruction of memory is core—the twins' supernatural bond allows them to share and question memories of their past.

Mystery90%
Family85%
Memory80%
Identity & Self75%
Coming of Age70%
Grief & Loss70%

How it plays

Branching conversation choices are central to how players interact with characters and drive outcomes. Weighty ethical and emotional decisions throughout the narrative shape relationships and how characters perceive the twins. Character stats and abilities can gate certain dialogue options or actions, allowing player agency based on attributes.

Dialogue Trees85%
Moral Choice75%
Skill Checks45%

How it looks and sounds

The game uses a third-person perspective to follow the twins through their Alaskan setting. The focus on intimate dialogue and character moments over spectacle creates a visually restrained, emotionally focused aesthetic.

Third-Person65%
Minimalist Visuals55%

How it's structured

The game is explicitly structured as a multi-episode narrative adventure released in discrete installments. Designed as a solo experience focused on one player's journey through the twins' mystery. Player choices throughout the story fork the narrative into meaningfully different paths and outcomes, as emphasized by 'Choices Matter' tagging.

Episodic95%
Single-Player90%
Branching Narrative85%
Campaign80%
Multiple Endings70%

Shares Mystery, Dialogue Trees, Branching Narrative, Moral Choice.

Both lean into Single-Player, Mystery, Dialogue Trees, Campaign.

Single-Player95%Mystery88%Dialogue Trees88%Campaign92%

Shares Mystery, Branching Narrative, Dialogue Trees, Memory.

Both lean into Single-Player, Campaign, Mystery, Branching Narrative.

Single-Player95%Campaign90%Mystery80%Branching Narrative85%

Shares Episodic, Dialogue Trees, Branching Narrative, Mystery.

Both lean into Episodic, Single-Player, Dialogue Trees, Campaign.

Episodic95%Single-Player88%Dialogue Trees88%Campaign90%

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Branching Narrative95%Single-Player85%Campaign90%Dialogue Trees80%

A lesser-known kindred — Mystery, Contemplative, Memory, Dialogue Trees. 90% positive across 4,965 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Single-Player, Mystery, Campaign, Contemplative.

Single-Player90%Mystery80%Campaign85%Contemplative75%

A lesser-known kindred — Branching Narrative, Dialogue Trees, Mystery, Moral Choice. 98% positive across 4,955 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Branching Narrative, Single-Player, Dialogue Trees, Mystery.

Branching Narrative90%Single-Player85%Dialogue Trees85%Mystery78%
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